Vote for Pedro?

Pirates fans are excited about this week's call-up of 3B prospect Pedro Alvarez, the second overall pick of the 2008 MLB Draft. And rightfully so - Pittsburgh is desperate for some star power, and Alvarez has that potential. Alvarez jacked 13 homers in 242 at-bats this year at Triple-A Indianapolis and projects to be a power-hitting corner outfielder for the Bucs for years to come. The 23-year-old has already relegated former prospect Andy LaRoche to the bench.

So what kind of fantasy impact can Alvarez make? The chance for regular playing time in Pittsburgh certainly helps his case, and power from the 3B position is at a premium. If things go well for the kid from here on out, you might expect 15 or so homers and a .270-.280ish average the rest of the way, which is nothing to sniff at in NL-only leagues. I'm not sure Pedro's ready to make much of a splash in mixed leagues yet as a regular fantasy starter, but he could be a useful player off your bench and definitely deserves consideration in keeper leagues.

Prospect watch: Jennings, Alvarez and more

Really want to get ahead of the competition in your 2010 baseball league? Familiarize yourself with Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, released last week.

Some of the guys I'll be targeting this year:

1. Jason Heyward, OF, Braves: The 20-year-old has steamrolled his way through the minors and should be an early season call-up if he doesn't make the Braves' big league club outright this spring. This story should give you some sense of his raw power.

6. Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays: He was 52-for-59 in steals last year in the minors and will be a fixture of Tampa Bay's outfield for years to come. That kind of speed is hard to find in the majors, which is why you'll want Jennings on your bench whenever he makes it to the big leagues.

8. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates: He smashed 27 HRs in the minors last year, and although he's got to cut down his strikeouts, he'll be breathing down Andy LaRoche's neck for playing time in 2010.

9. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Rangers: Hopefully you saw what the fireballer did last year in a bullpen cameo in the majors (1.74 ERA, 11.32 strikeouts per nine innings in 20 relief appearances), and that was before he developed what scouts are calling a great changeup. Whether he's a starter or reliever this year, he's someone to grab.

22. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds: A lefty who throws 100 mph? Sign me up. The Cuban import is a big unknown, but he's the kind of talent you take a flier on.